Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli has responded positively to concerns voiced by drivers Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Renault’s Vitaly Petrov – among others – over “tyre marbles”, or crumbs of rubber left on track as a result of Pirelli’s desire to increase interest in racing through tyre degradation. Petrov claimed his ignominious exit at the Malaysian Grand Prix was caused by the rubber particles caused by increased tyre wear. Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery responded by maintaining that the “marbles” were a “natural consequence” of the manufacturer’s policy of providing tyres to help build racing excitement, but that it would seek ways of reducing the rubber left on track without undermining this principle. Pirelli is currently preparing for the Chinese Grand Prix, which begins tomorrow. A video interview with Hembery following the Malaysian Grand Prix is available in the subscribers area below.

As Championship leader Sebastian Vettel noted after his win at the Malaysian Grand Prix, it is still early in Formula One’s race calendar, but Pirelli’s PZero F1 tyres appear to be having the manufacturer’s desired effects of placing tyres at centre-stage and aiding overtaking. For the second race in succession, Red Bull’s Vettel converted pole position to a win, with tyre strategy proving crucial. The drivers who best looked after their tyres in the punishing conditions of Malaysia were rewarded with the top positions, with McLaren and Lotus Renault, driven respectively by Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld, who went from Pirelli test driver to podium finisher in less than six months, having held off a strong last-ditch challenge by Mark Webber.